LEONARD BERNSTEIN: THE POWER OF MUSK.

• Author: Weingram, Ivy
• Position: Focus

"THE WORK I have been writing all my life is about the struggle that is born of the crisis of our century--a crisis of faith," said Leonard Bernstein.

World war, the Holocaust, the civil rights movement, nuclear weapons--all tested Bernstein's faith. None of these crises escaped his examination, from the podium to the protest, from the studio to the stage. "Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music" will examine how Bernstein confronted the crises and catastrophes of the 20th century.

You may be familiar with many of Bernstein's works, notably "West Side Story" (1957), but not necessarily how his approach to music was informed by the political and social crises of his day. Bernstein used the arts to express the restlessness, anxiety, fear, and hope of an American Jew living through World War II and the Holocaust, the Vietnam War, and the turbulent social change that shook his faith in every way.

"Power of Music" will be the first large-scale museum exhibition to illustrate the famed conductor and composer's life, Jewish identity, and social activism. It will feature approximately 100 historic artifacts--from Bernstein's piano and conducting suit to family heirlooms--along with original films and interactive media. Taking place during the worldwide centennial celebration of Bernstein's birth, the exhibit will be on view March 16-Sept. 2 at the National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia, Pa.

Bernstein was bom Aug. 25, 1918, to Jewish immigrants Jennie and Samuel Bernstein, then living in Lawrence, Mass. Samuel built a successful business supplying hair products to Boston salons. The Bernsteins, including Leonard's younger sister Shirley and brother Burton, attended Conservative congregation Mishkan Tefila (Sanctuary of Prayer), a synagogue that featured organ music and a mixed-gender choir--progressive approaches to traditional Jewish worship at that time. Jewish themes and Hebrew texts significantly influenced his work, from symphonies to Broadway scores. The Jewish music that had impressed him so strongly as a young man came to serve as an anchor for Bernstein throughout adulthood.

Bernstein began piano lessons at age 10 and studied at Boston Latin School, Harvard, the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood, and the Curtis Institute of Music. He graduated in 1941 from Curtis and, within months, led the Boston Pops in his first appearance with a professional orchestra. On Nov. 14, 1943, Bernstein famously made his Carnegie Hall...